Slammin Sammy hits # 600

So, "Slammin Sammy" hit his 600th homerun yesterday June 20th, 2007 of Jason Marquis of the Chicago Cubs. It was 18 years ago today, June 21st, that he hit his first homerun of his career, off of Roger Clemens. He was always smiling and having fun, he was a fun guy to watch.

Sammy has come a long way since he first broke into the majors with the Texas Rangers in 1989. He was traded to the White Sox later that year, and then was sent to the Cubs in '92 for George Bell. He played his most prolific years as a member of the Cubs, years that are easily remembered. His hop after a homerun swing, his kisses in the dugout, his homerun chase with McGwire. From 1998 to 2001 he hit an astonishing 243 homeruns, and won the MVP in 1998.

He became the man in Chicago, clobbering balls all over the place for the Cubs. When baseball resumed after 9/11 he ran onto the field carrying an American Flag that he had in his pocket. He was smiling, he was trying to have fun again after an awful tragedy. He left the Cubs via trade in 2005 and joined the Baltimore Orioles. He had a down year only hitting 14 Homeruns and the Orioles released him. Many thought this was the end of Sammy, as the Nationals offered him a minor league contract in 2006, but he turned them down. Then he signed a minor league contract with the Rangers before the 2007 season, and he had a very good spring training. He joined the Major league club and has been a start for the season.

Anyone talking about Sammy wants to bring up the "corked bat incident." The Cubs were playing the Devil Rays and Sosa's bat broke, revealing it was corked. Sure, there is evidence that corked bats don't offer any help, but why would he use it then? He said it was just a bat that he used during batting practice to put a show on for the crowd. Oh, and he has also sent at least 5 other bats to the hall of fame, all those were tested and none revealed a cork. Other people want to talk about Steroids. I understand that word will forever be a part of baseball now, but I want to focus on something here. Sammy has never had a positive test, and he has made a succesful comeback this year. He didn't look as bad as McGwire during the congressional hearings, and he hasn't been proved wrong like Palmerio has. Now, he is only batting .242 this year, which is below his career average of .270. But, he has 12 homeuns and 53 RBI's. He is on pace to hit about 30 HR's and drive in well over 100 runs. Those are good stats for a guy that everyone gave up on.

I don't know how many people enjoyed watching his 600th homerun, but I did. I told my son while watching Sportscenter, "You know, Sammy is only one of five players to ever hit 600 homeruns." He seemed intrigued, and then asked who the others were, and I told him they were Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds. Funny thing is, the only name he recognized was Babe Ruth. Watching Sammy round the bases, smiling, hearing the fans cheer for him, both dugouts giving him an ovation. It was a good day in baseball, and it was fun to watch.